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Sunaga t experience "STE"
Next week will bring us a brand new 5th album by Sunaga t Experience, DJ Sunaga Tatsuo's long-running jazz solo project. This year marks Sunaga's 30th anniversary as a DJ! Featured musicians include Scha Dara Parr, YOU THE ROCK★, ECD,...Posted on May 15, 2015 at 23:27

Rocketman "thank you for the music!"
Rocketman (aka comedian Fukawa Ryō) has a greatest hits album coming soon. Aside from 7 songs from his two solo albums ("Love, sea & music" (2006) and "The Sound of Musique" (2007)), included are 3 songs he produced by Cosmetics,...Posted on July 29, 2010 at 23:05

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Yapani! "Salvia feat. P.O.P"
Instrumental brass rock band Yapani! has a new digital single out now, featuring rapper twins P.O.P! This is available on iTunes worldwide. No live info for Yapani! at this time, but P.O.P have a one-man live featuring Nakatsuka Takeshi...Posted on August 2, 2015 at 13:42

Recoride "Freshless"
Brilliant synth-punk band Recoride has a brand new full-length album out now! Check out the clip below to give you a perfect idea. A double release party of Recoride and KOTO will be held tomorrow Friday July 17 at Disk...Posted on July 16, 2015 at 21:38

Tokyo Killer "Tokyo Killer Street"
Tokyo Killer is a girl-fronted surf rock instrumental band formed of guitarist Keme (Kinoco Hotel), bassist Akko (ex-GO!GO!7188), keyboardist Kei (Urbangarde) and drummer Kyōichi (ex-Urbangarde). This first album, released at the end of April, features some famous covers as well...Posted on May 24, 2015 at 22:53

Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino "Condor"
Rapper duo Cypress Ueno & Roberto Yoshino have a new album out now! The album features guests such as Bose (Scha Dara Parr) and Zen-La-Rock among others. Various producers participated, with one track produced by Halfby. HMV gives away a...Posted on April 4, 2015 at 00:00

Tweedees "The Sound Sounds."
Tweedees is a brand new band formed of Okii Reiji (Scott Goes For, Frog, ex-Cymbals) with 24-year-old singer/actress Kiyoura Natsumi. Check out the video below, and hear other audio samples at CDJapan. The song "KLING! KLANG!!" is available in advance...Posted on March 15, 2015 at 13:16

Count Joke "bird man c/w ameagari" (7"+CD)
Count Joke (aka jōdan hakushaku) (Facebook page) is the unit of Maezono Naoki and Arai Toshiya. Starting this January they are releasing a series of 7"'s (coming with a bonus CD) of songs limitedly released on CD throughout last year....Posted on February 6, 2015 at 23:50

Reina & The Blue Valentines "Lady or Girl?"
After the release of two 7" singles, here's a first album by Reina & The Blue Valentines, girl band fronted by Nosa Reina (whose latest solo album "don't kiss, but yes" was produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five)) and formed...Posted on February 6, 2015 at 21:56

Scha Dara Parr "1212"
It's been about 6 years since Scha Dara Parr's previous album, "11" (2009), and here comes a brand new one! This 12th album features 12 new songs including collaborations with girl rock band Chatmonchy, talent Shimizu Michiko and also longtime...Posted on January 26, 2015 at 21:23

clammbon "Why not clammbon!? ~ clammbon Tribute"
This recently released clammbon tribute album features a great amount of like-minded artists, including Buffalo Daughter, salyu x salyu, Nona Reeves, Tokyo No.1 Soul Set, GREAT3, Hanaregumi, Rekishi and more. Check out the trailer clip below, and hear samples of...Posted on December 31, 2014 at 17:53

Kojima Mayumi "On the Road"
Kojima Mayumi has a 9th album out now! Her back-band features Kaji Hideki on bass, with guest appearances by Asa-chang and others. All songs are originals. Her "last show of the year" is to be held on December 18 at...Posted on December 7, 2014 at 14:47

Reina & The Blue Valentines "Space Camera" (7"+CD-R+DVD)
Nosa Reina's band has a 2nd 7" out now. Both songs are brand new originals. Included is a CD-R (probably of the same content) autographed by Reina, and a DVD of herself playing unreleased song "Star Ocean" on ukulele. A...Posted on December 4, 2014 at 21:21

nananon "Nana Nana Non Non" (7")
Model duo nananon's first single, produced by Konishi Yasuharu, has been released on 7"! This includes a cover of Pizzicato Five's "Baby Portable Rock" with special lyrics. DJs grab it while you can! nananon "Nana Nana Non Non" (7") ななのん...Posted on November 23, 2014 at 20:49

Nomiya Maki "Miss Maki Nomiya Sings Shibuya-kei Standards"
A waterfall of events led Nomiya Maki (ex-Pizzicato Five) and producer Sakaguchi Osamu (a soundtrack producer who first got in touch with Maki in the Portable Rock days) to start a project that re-introduces Shibuya-kei hit songs and important influences...Posted on November 8, 2014 at 14:26

U-zhaan "Tabla Rock Mountain"
Tabla musician U-zhaan (formerly of Asa-chang & Junray) has a first solo album out now. Featured are guest artists Sakamoto Ryūichi (on a cover of YMO's "Technopolis"), Cornelius, Hanaregumi, De De Mouse, Hifana, Kakato (Tamaki Roy & Chinza Dopeness), Ametsub...Posted on October 23, 2014 at 22:49

Quruli "The Pier"
Band Quruli has an 11th album coming this week! The limited edition comes with a 7"-sized 300-page booklet of all of the songs' sheet music, and also a download code for song "Liberty&Gravity" in an "hi-res" audio format. HMV gives...Posted on September 14, 2014 at 22:45

Funassyi "Boogie Boogie Funassyi -Funassyi Official Theme Song 2-"
Funabashi city's unofficial (though insanely popular) mascot Funassyi has a 2nd single coming. This one includes as a B-side the song "Funassyi no kaimono wasshoi!" produced by Konishi Yasuharu recently, first advertised as to be only available on YouTube. Title...Posted on August 17, 2014 at 22:54

nananon "Nana Nana Non Non"
Some new sounds from Konishi Yasuharu coming this August! First is duo nananon formed of idol/actress/model Nana (aka Naabōdōfu@Nana) and model Maeda Nozomi, who are 20 and 21 respectively (with birthdays on June 17 and 16). They're often told they...Posted on August 8, 2014 at 23:13

Buffalo Daughter "Konjac-tion"
Here comes a brand new original album by Buffalo Daughter, follow-up to "The Weapons of Math Destruction" (2010). The new album has a theme of "block party" and comes as a set of 2 CDs, one of the original new...Posted on July 20, 2014 at 17:56

Emerson Kitamura "Ochi Kochi Ni (in perspective)"
Emerson Kitamura is an organ/keyboard player who can often be seen on stage playing in support of other artists. Lately he's also a regular member of The Scooters since their comeback in 2012. Not sticking to a particular genre, this...Posted on July 12, 2014 at 16:33

fox capture plan "Wall"
fox capture plan, the instrumental jazz-rock trio of Kishimoto Ryo (Jabberloop), Kawai Hidehiro (Immigrant's Bossa Band) and Inoue Tsukasa (direction of the chord, nhhmbase), have a 3rd album coming this month. While mostly consisting of originals, covers of Radiohead's "Paranoid...Posted on July 6, 2014 at 14:05

Children Coup d'État "Fear of Liberty"
Formed in 1982 in Kyoto, Children Coup d'État is an improvisation/rock/jazz band led by bandmaster/bassist Hosoi Hisato. Currently the band still features two other original members, drummer Maebuchi Norihide (who also played in Modern Choki Chokies, etc.) and violinist K-ko,...Posted on June 22, 2014 at 22:43

Hoshino Michiru "koi no Funfair" (7"+CD)
Now here's the last of Hoshino Michiru's 7"+CD series, preparing the way for her new album "E-I-E-N Voyage" coming July 16 (stay tuned for details). As always this is produced by Hase Hajimu and Satō Seiki (Microstar). The title track...Posted on June 15, 2014 at 14:13

Old Monk "Posing as Love" (12"+download code)
Brooklyn 3-piece indie rock band Old Monk has a 2nd album out now! Their bassist is Tsugumi Takashi (ex-PINE*am), which is more than enough of a reason to mention them here. Well of course they're truly great too, so check...Posted on June 10, 2014 at 23:41

Vanilla Beans "watashi... fukō guse"
Vanilla Beans have a new single out today! The title track is a Shōwa-kayō style song with a Motown beat flavor. The B-side is an electro-rock track. This release has two different limited editions. Type A includes 6 bonus tracks...Posted on April 23, 2014 at 23:37

Record Store Day 2014 in Japan
Record Store Day in Japan has been getting bigger every year. This year there are dozens of exclusive vinyl releases to be found on the shelves of these record shops on Saturday April 19. Below is a selection of releases...Posted on April 13, 2014 at 13:46

Shonen Knife "arashi no Overdrive"
Shonen Knife's new album "Overdrive" is being released in various countries on April 16. Only in Japan it contains Japanese lyrics versions of "Dance To The Rock", "Shopping" and "Like A Cat". Shonen Knife have a busy live schedule this...Posted on April 11, 2014 at 23:26

Various Artists "Free Throw Compilation vol.3"
This is a 2-CD compilation of recent tracks played at rock-oriented DJ event "Free Throw". Considering this track list and the good price, it seems to be a good opportunity to catch up with Japanese indie rock bands that sound...Posted on March 19, 2014 at 22:45

Tokyo Girls' Style "Maltine Girls Wave" (Blu-ray/DVD+CD)
This is a collaboration album of unit group Tokyo Girls' Style and tofubeats' label Maltine Records (Soundcloud). 5 new tracks are produced by Maltine artists, and each is sung solo by one of the 5 girls. Producers are dancinthruthenights (unit...Posted on January 18, 2014 at 19:02

yashka "Hotel New Continental"
yashka is a new 6-piece band fronted by female singer Yoshika. With accordion, violin, and clarinet, the rock band's sound is a borderless mixture of soul, ska, latin, jazz and pop. All songs can be sampled at the official release...Posted on January 13, 2014 at 13:19

Yucca "You are right" (Download)
Post-rock band Yucca has a new track now available on iTunes worldwide and also Bandcamp! Check out the video clip below too. Also check out previous single "summer emotion" and latest album "our journey (to anywhere we want)", if you...Posted on January 7, 2014 at 23:42

Riow Arai "Drum Dub Delay" (Download)
Riow Arai has released a new album exclusively on iTunes store. The conceptual "spin-off" album consists of one-shot recordings of only drums and bass, that were then mixed in dub fashion. The drums and dub mixes were done by Riow...Posted on January 3, 2014 at 18:15

fox capture plan "BRIDGE"
Here's a 2nd album from fox capture plan, instrumental jazz-rock trio formed of Kishimoto Ryo (Jabberloop), Kawai Hidehiro (Immigrant's Bossa Band) and Inoue Tsukasa (direction of the chord, ex-nhhmbase). This follows "trinity" released just last May. All songs are originals...Posted on December 11, 2013 at 22:51

Hanae "jikkai Quiz"
After a number of singles, here's finally a first full-length album from Hanae, a female singer produced by Manabe Shūichi (ex-sōtaiseiriron member who was also responsible for Tarte Tatin's brilliant 1st album "Tetrad"). She succeeds getting attention from both the...Posted on November 24, 2013 at 21:33

Sheena Ringo "ukina", "mitsugetsushō"
Sheena Ringo has two new albums out now. "ukina" consists of collaborations with other artists, including a new one with Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE), and the previously unreleased "It Was You" written by Burt Bacharach. "mitsugetsushō" is a collection of her...Posted on November 23, 2013 at 11:28

Vanilla Beans "Please Me Darling"
Here's a new single from Vanilla Beans! The title track is expected to have a Shibuya-kei taste, while the B-side is a take at electro dance-rock, a brand new sound for the duo. Both tracks were produced by long-time collaborator...Posted on October 14, 2013 at 19:57

Scandal "Over Drive"
Nakata Yasutaka (CAPSULE) produced the title track of this new single by girl rock band Scandal, for a result quite different from the sounds he's got us used to. Worth checking out! The limited edition comes with a video of...Posted on September 20, 2013 at 19:58

Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band "Take Me To The Land Of Hell"
Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band has a new album coming in September. The all-star band features Sean Lennon, Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius) and Honda Yuka (Cibo Matto)! Guest musicians include Lenny Kravitz, Nels Cline (Wilco), tUnE-yArDs, Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow) and...Posted on August 25, 2013 at 14:18

Yucca "summer emotion" (Download)
Post-rock band Yucca have a sweet-sounding new single and clip for the summer! The song is available at Bandcamp and iTunes worldwide. Yucca "summer emotion" (Download) abcdefg*record Out now (8/13) Sample/buy: Bandcamp, ...Posted on August 19, 2013 at 23:58

Sister Jet with Dots+Borders "'New Quad' 2x2=4 / very well L.P."
Dots+Borders, the legendary unit of Kaji Hideki and Horie Hirohisa (Neil & Iraiza, The Cornelius Group, pupa), has teamed up with young rock band Sister Jet for a new album full of British-influenced upbeat tracks. Sister Jet with Dots+Borders "'New...Posted on August 11, 2013 at 12:26

playtime rock "Play Time"
Playtime Rock (blog) is the unit of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) and flutist/singer Ichiba Mina. After last year's split-album "Evening Primrose" (2012), here comes their real first full-length album "Play Time". Half of the tracks are covers of foreign songs...Posted on July 23, 2013 at 22:48

sōtaiseiriron "Town Age"
sōtaiseiriron, band featuring singer Yakushimaru Etsuko, have a new album coming. It's been some 3 years since their previous proper album "Synchroniciteen" (2010), not counting remix/collaboration album "tadashii sōtaiseiriron" (2011). HMV gives away an original sōtaiseiriron future calendar of year...Posted on July 20, 2013 at 23:56

Playtime Rock, BANK live at Saravah Tokyo
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Friday July 12 was a show of Playtime Rock, the Nagasaki-based band of Takanami K-taro (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog). Nagasaki being part of the Kyūshū island in the south of...Posted on July 17, 2013 at 00:59

keme "shiranai sekai"
Guitarist singer-songwriter keme, aka Isabelle-Keme Kamogawa of Kinoco Hotel, has a 2nd solo album out now. With her solo project, keme shows a face different from her Kinoco Hotel skillful fuzzy solos, rather playing 70's-inspired folk rock and putting focus...Posted on July 15, 2013 at 00:18

Vanilla Beans, Nomiya Maki & BIBA
Text and 2nd photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. 1st photo by Kaz Sekiguchi, courtesy of Yoko Fujiwara. On July 5th was the 4th edition of Vanilla Beans' series of shows with a live band. Every time they...Posted on July 11, 2013 at 23:34

lyrical school "Parade"
This is the new single by lyrical school, rap idol unit produced by tofubeats. "Parade" marks the welcoming of new member Hina. Also included is a self-cover of theme song "tengal6" (the former name of lyrical school) in a new...Posted on May 17, 2013 at 00:07

Vanilla Beans band live with Kaji Hideki
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound Until recently, Vanilla Beans had always performed their shows "idol style", singing karaoke over a backtrack of the music. Last year marked their 5th anniversary, and then came 3rd album...Posted on May 3, 2013 at 20:01

Sexy-Synthesizer feat. Chihiro "POP!"
8-bit unit Sexy-Synthesizer (official Facebook page) has a new mini-album out now, with the tag line "This is not 'ROCK' but 'POP!'" This features singer Chihiro who has appeared before on 2008 album "Sexy-Synthesizer presents Funky-Bit" (Amazon). The CD is...Posted on May 3, 2013 at 13:50

tofubeats "Lost Decade", "university of remix", "college of remix"
1990-born young genius DJ tofubeats has a first full-length album out now! This features hit song "suisei" (feat. rapper Onomatope Daijin), as well as a lot of new tracks, including songs featuring vocalists Nanba Shiho, PUNPEE, G.RINA, Kariya Seira and...Posted on April 28, 2013 at 23:31

Monochromoon: Tabuchi Jun, Nosa Lena, Nacional, DeliciouSweets
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On March 6 was event "Monochromoon!" at yumemiru kimiomou (aka Moon Romantic). I wanted to go there for at least 3 reasons. The first was to see Nosa Lena, a...Posted on March 22, 2013 at 23:59

Various Artists "Girls Sazanami Beat! vol.5"
This is a 5th of Sazanami Label's popular compilation series of indies girl rock/garage/neo-GS bands. Collect them all! All tracks can be sampled at the official release page. The jacket was specially designed by Italian illustrator Luca Tieri. A series...Posted on January 30, 2013 at 23:49

Nakatsuka Takeshi "Lyrics"
Nakatsuka Takeshi (Qypthone), who this year celebrates 10 years of solo activity, has a new album coming. While several of the songs here have been previously released in demo form for free on the "Takeshi Lab" section of his web...Posted on January 30, 2013 at 21:45

Saitō Neon Sign, Love & Revolution, Emmy Lee & The Psyzans
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday January 6, I went to an event at Koenji U.F.O. Club part of a series celebrating the 17th anniversary of the popular GS (Group Sounds)/garage rock oriented venue....Posted on January 14, 2013 at 00:11

Original Soundtrack "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo"
Konishi Yasuharu produced the music for TV drama "Tokyo zenryoku shōjo", about a 19-year-old girl who suddenly arrives to Tokyo to look for her father she hadn't met for 15 years. This series is from the makers of "Dekawanko" and...Posted on December 20, 2012 at 00:09

Various Artists "Dancing After 1AM"
Indies rock compilation "Dancing After 1AM" album is from label Call And Response specializing in post-punk, new wave, often a bit on the noisy rock side, nevertheless a definitely pleasant listen for even my pop-oriented ears. Here are all new...Posted on December 3, 2012 at 23:28

Ryoma Maeda "Fantastic Suicide"
Ryoma Maeda aka milch of source (producer of EeL) is releasing a new album under his real name. With more pop melodies than before, the sound is said to be an upbeat chaos of rock, punk and techno. The odd...Posted on November 4, 2012 at 10:09

Wack Wack Rhythm Band "XX Classics"
Wack Wack Rhythm Band is now celebrating its 20th anniversary! Time flies! This first greatest hits album contains favorites from their whole career, as well as the 2 new recordings from their latest 7" single. A total of 20 tracks....Posted on November 3, 2012 at 21:21

Various Artists "Shibuya-kei Respect" series
October saw the release of a series of 3 Shibuya-kei tribute cover compilations! All of these are full of famous Shibuya-kei songs covered by younger artists and bands who have been influenced by the movement. Included are songs originally by...Posted on November 1, 2012 at 22:46

Yapani! "Yapani!Lab." (Download)
This month from Nakatsuka Takeshi's digital label Delicatessen Lab are two original funky tunes by instrumental brass rock band Yapani!. This single has already made it to #1 on iTunes Japan's jazz chart! Yapani! can be caught live on October...Posted on October 3, 2012 at 20:27

Nosa Reina "don't kiss, but yes"
"Pizzicato Five 2012 edition!?", "Post-Nomiya Maki?" dare official blurbs say! Nosa Reina is a new singer whose debut album is being produced by Takanami K-tarō (ex-Pizzicato Five), who has also hired the two musicians from Portable Rock for the back...Posted on September 29, 2012 at 23:58

Calmera "1000nichimae High Colors"
Osaka-based instrumental jazz-rock band Calmera has a 4th album out now on Orange Records! Included are 2 remixes, one by Groove Unchant. Also, the first limited pressing comes with a bonus DVD of a show held in Osaka on February...Posted on September 20, 2012 at 23:06

frenesi "gendai" release party
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On September 15, 2012, was the release party for frenesi's album "gendai". It was held at Shibuya WWW, one of my favorite venues lately (it used to be a movie...Posted on September 17, 2012 at 00:34

Sawagi "Punch Games"
Sawagi has a first full-length album coming. The band of guitar/bass/synths/drums has a concept of performing instrumental dance music entirely live, no programming involved, with hints of rock, jazz, funk and electro influences. This album follows the brilliant mini-album "hi...Posted on July 30, 2012 at 22:25

Various Artists "Shibuya-kei feat. Hatsune Miku"
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku sings Pizzicato Five, Flipper's Guitar, Kahimi Karie, Kaji Hideki, Original Love and Ozawa Kenji in this Shibuya-kei cover compilation put together by producers from the Vocaloid scene. Two original songs are also included as bonus tracks....Posted on July 9, 2012 at 20:44

Vanilla Beans one-man live vol.4
Text and photo by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Sunday June 17, I went to see Vanilla Beans who were holding their 4th one-man live. I had been to the first held in December 2009 (report), and have...Posted on June 21, 2012 at 23:35

Yucca "our journey (to anywhere we want)"
Wonderful post-rock band Yucca from Tokyo has a 3rd album out now, 6 years after the previous that was titled "the orange sun in my room". The hiatus had much to do with their drummer who broke a bone in...Posted on June 9, 2012 at 21:31

Shonen Knife "Pop Tune"
Shonen Knife, who celebrated their 30th anniversary last year, have a new album out now! A special site for the album has been set up here with plenty to read (in English too!), such as this comment from Marty Friedman...Posted on June 7, 2012 at 23:39

Sakanaction "boku to hana"
Rock band Sakanaction's new single has a remix by Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove) for B-side. The first pressing comes with a 20-page booklet. All tracks can be sampled at Victor's official release page (click the green WMP icons and cross...Posted on June 4, 2012 at 23:36

Zoobombs "The Sweet Passion"
Here's a 10th album from worldwide-acclaimed rock band Zoobombs, 6 years since their previous "B★B★B". This album is planned for release this fall in the U.S., Canada and Australia, and a world tour should be held around the same time....Posted on June 4, 2012 at 21:50

Portable Rock
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On Saturday June 2, I went to see Portable Rock at small venue Club Crawl in Shibuya. It was the first of two "one-man" shows (no opening band) the band played. This...Posted on June 3, 2012 at 21:57

Tokyo eleport 006: The Aprils, Candles, Cutie Pai, ExceNtRip
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On April 12 was the 6th event of the "Tokyo eleport" series organized by indies techno-pop unit Candles. It was held at Shibuya Star lounge, a quite nice venue I...Posted on April 14, 2012 at 17:05

Recoride "MP3 no danmatsuma"
Formed 3 years ago, here's a first full-length album by Recoride, a synth-punk band led by Sasaki Kissa (ex-Gekkan Pro-Bowler) and fronted by a female singer. Check out the new-wave-y video clip below! Includes a PandaBoY remix. More audio samples...Posted on April 13, 2012 at 22:16

Nakamura Kazuyoshi "6 Remix'n Birds"
Singer-songwriter Nakamura Kazuyoshi, leader of J-rock band 100s, has a remix mini-album out just now. The originals aren't something I'd recommend, but the impressive list of remixers here is sure to draw attention, with Ishino Takkyu (Denki Groove), FPM, Yakenohara,...Posted on March 27, 2012 at 23:04

Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert
Text by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound. Photos by Kasuga Miwa. On Monday March 19, I went to Nomiya Maki's 30th anniversary concert held at O-East, coincidentally (?) almost the same place where was held Pizzicato Five's last concert...Posted on March 23, 2012 at 22:31

Tokyo Girls' Style "Limited addiction"
5-girl idol unit Tokyo Girls' Style has a 2nd album coming, and one song features their good friends Vanilla Beans. The album comes in 3 different editions: Type A includes a DVD of 5 live songs, Type B includes a...Posted on March 7, 2012 at 21:52

Portable Rock "Lost & Found"
Portable Rock, the 80's band fronted by Nomiya Maki, has a new CD coming! This contains 2 songs that had remained unreleased back in the day, one of which surfaced on Maki's 30th anniversary album "30". Both songs have lyrics...Posted on March 4, 2012 at 18:39

Calmera "Mix Modern Covers!", "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie feat. akiko" (7")
Osaka instrumental jazz band Calmera has a 3rd album out now on Orange Records. This is a cover album, including covers of well known jazz, latin and rock songs rearranged in their style. "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" features jazz singer akiko,...Posted on February 18, 2012 at 11:35

Negicco "Negicco 2003~2012 -Best-"
Negicco, the 3-girl negi-promoting idol group from Niigata that was signed last year to Tower Records' T-Palette idol-specialized label, has a first full-length album coming. This comes as a greatest hits album covering their 8-year ongoing career, with many rare...Posted on February 16, 2012 at 21:04

(M)otocompo vs The Aprils, with BiS, Ezypt
Text and photos by Patrick Benny for Tokyo's Coolest Sound On February 4 was an event organized by (M)otocompo, together with The Aprils, BiS and Ezypt. It was held at Shibuya Milkyway, and it was my first time at this...Posted on February 12, 2012 at 00:30

Takanami Keitarō to Playtime Rock meets Shibata Kenichi "Evening Primrose"
Takanami Keitarō (ex-Pizzicato Five) (blog) seems to put aside his Nangasaki Five project to work on this new unit called Playtime Rock, which features vocalist and flutist Ichiba Mina. This first album is a collaboration with Nagasaki trombonist Shibata Kenichi,...Posted on February 9, 2012 at 23:39

tokyo pinsalocks "Hallelujah Girls"
New wave/post-rock band tokyo pinsalocks has a new album out just now! This is produced by Miura Shunichi of Kera & The Synthesizers. Two tracks can be sampled at MySpace. Also, recent non-album track "Salon de Tokyo (remixed by miurashun)"...Posted on January 10, 2012 at 23:19

Nomiya Maki "30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~"
Let's start 2012 with a bang! Finally here's a new album by Nomiya Maki! This time she celebrates 30 years of her singing career by doing self-covers in collaboration with various other artists. Featured are Cornelius, Kaji Hideki, Takahashi Yukihiro,...Posted on January 2, 2012 at 13:00

Vanilla Beans "toki no kakera"
Vanilla Beans will have a new single released in January! This adds a rare (first?) minor scale song to their repertory with title track "toki no kakera", which can be seen performed in the clip below from a recent morning...Posted on December 30, 2011 at 22:17

Crazy Ken Band "Wild de ikō!!!"
Crazy Ken Band has a new single coming, including 2 songs recently featured in TV commercials. Title track "Wild de iko!!!" was used in men's scalp care product "Rigaos", and "ikinokore!!!" for a pachinko CM (yes..!). This comes with a...Posted on November 20, 2011 at 23:33

Asa-Chang "Asa-Chang & shūshū"
Asa-Chang, now the only member remaining of Asa-Chang & Junray, has a compilation out now of his works as a producer, spanning over his whole career. Asa-Chang used to be the leader of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, and has a...Posted on November 12, 2011 at 14:27

Tucker "Tucker Plays 19 Post Cards"
The latest from Crue-L Records is a 3rd album by multi-player/keyboardist Tucker, who performed and recorded everything by himself. The genre-less instrumental album contains hints of soul, rock, rare groove, lounge, cosmic and soundtrack-like sounds, with a touch of Asian...Posted on November 1, 2011 at 23:20

Various Artists "Hatsune Miku sings New Wave"
Out this week is this new Hatsune Miku compilation of new wave covers sung by the virtual idol. Included are songs originally by Plastics, Nomiya Maki, Portable Rock, Juicy Fruits, Hikashu, P-Model, Halmens, Cosmic Invention and more. The compilation is...Posted on October 25, 2011 at 00:24

Portable Rock "Beginnings + 5"
Portable Rock was an 80's techno-pop band featuring Nomiya Maki (later of Pizzicato Five) with Suzuki Tomofumi (guitar) and Nakahara Nobuo (bass). First released in 1990, "Beginnings" is a collection of early recordings, now being reissued with 5 rare bonus...Posted on October 19, 2011 at 23:46

Soil & "Pimp" Sessions "Magnetic Soil"
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, a jazzy band that mixes in sounds of rock, punk, electro and funk, have a new (7th!) album out just now, their first in 2 years. This includes the title track from single "Movin'" released earlier...Posted on October 8, 2011 at 21:28

Applecider "Star Black"
Osaka indies electro-punk girl-boy double-vocal unit Applecider has a 2nd album coming, and The Aprils' Imai Kentarō has done mixing and arrangement for all tracks! Check out video below for song "wear dischord", and then go hear more samples over...Posted on September 4, 2011 at 20:21

yanokami "Bamboo Music" (Download)
yanokami, the unit of rei harakami and Yano Akiko, has a new song available for download. This is a cover of "Bamboo Music", a song from 1982 by Sakamoto Ryūichi and David Sylvian (hear the original on YouTube). rei harakami...Posted on August 4, 2011 at 23:53

Vanilla Beans & Negicco release day in-store event
Text by Patrick for Tokyo's Coolest Sound This week was the release of Vanilla Beans' 2nd full-length original album "Vanilla Beans II"! They are now touring several record stores around the Kantō area in a promotion rush, but it all...Posted on July 24, 2011 at 00:00